Champions Sprint Winners List: History & Results

The Champions Sprint is Australasia’s premier Group 1 weight-for-age sprint, contested over 1200 metres down Flemington’s famous straight on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. In 2025, former Everest champion Giga Kick produced a thrilling performance in heavy ground, beating Magic Time on the line to win under Mark Zahra for trainer Clayton Douglas and carrying 58.5kg.

Recent Champions Sprint Winners

• 2025 – Giga Kick: Clayton Douglas’ high-class gelding ploughed through heavy track conditions under Mark Zahra to register his second Group 1 classic title at $5.50 odds.
• 2024 – Sunshine In Paris: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald’s elite mare launched a brilliant last-to-first burst under James McDonald to score in the dying strides at $5.00.
• 2023 – Imperatriz: Mark Walker’s Kiwi speedster stamped her status as the country’s top sprinter, holding off all challengers under Opie Bosson at $2.15 odds.

Full list of Champions Sprint Winners

Inaugurated in 1960 as the Craven ‘A’ Stakes and won by Karina, the race was elevated to Group 1 status in 1979. Known historically as the Salinger Stakes, Patinack Farm Classic, and VRC Sprint Classic, it stands as the absolute pinnacle sprint of Flemington’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Champions Sprint Records

Horses to win the Champions Sprint more than once

• Nature Strip (2 wins): 2019, 2021
• Black Caviar (2 wins): 2010, 2011
• Planet Ruler (2 wins): 1989, 1990
• River Rough (2 wins): 1983, 1984
• Always Welcome (2 wins): 1978, 1980
• Century (2 wins): 1972, 1973
• Dual Choice (2 wins): 1970, 1971
• Vain (2 wins): 1968, 1969

Most Successful Champions Sprint Trainers

• Bart Cummings (7 wins): Century (1973), Maybe Mahal (1976), Forgone Conclusion (1982), Taj Quillo (1986), Final Card (1991), Unspoken Word (1992), Swick (2008).
• Tommy Smith (6 wins): Karina (1960), Bengal Tiger (1961), Samson (1962), Ripa (1963), Star Of Heaven (1964), Lord Dudley (1975).
• Colin Hayes (5 wins): Picca (1965), Marmion (1966), Iga Ninja (1967), Romantic Dream (1977), Rooney (1979).
• Chris Waller (3 wins): Delectation (2015), Nature Strip (2019, 2021).

Most Successful Champions Sprint Jockeys

• James McDonald (4 wins): Delectation (2015), Nature Strip (2019, 2021), Sunshine In Paris (2024).
• Roy Higgins (5 wins): Marmion (1966), Iga Ninja (1967), Century (1972, 1973), Maybe Mahal (1976).
• Neville Sellwood (4 wins): Karina (1960), Bengal Tiger (1961), Samson (1962), Ripa (1963).
• Damien Oliver (4 wins): Unspoken Word (1992), Brawny Spirit (1995), Falvelon (2000), Sudurka (2001).

Champions Sprint Race Winner & Odds

• Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
• Track: Flemington, Melbourne, VIC
• Distance: 1200m
• Conditions: WFA
• Status: Group 1
• Prize Money: $3 million
• First Run: 1960
• Current Champion: Giga Kick

Champions Sprint odds are available, so bet now on the big race.